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Pancheros Mexican Grill will open Oct. 16.

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Pancheros Mexican Grill, a fast-casual chain focusing on freshly made burritos, will open its first Indiana location.

The Indianapolis restaurant, operated by business partners Ron and Libby Firanek and Mary, Stuart and Nancy Sutherland, will open Oct. 16 at 4335 E. 82nd St. To mark the opening, the Far-Northside restaurant will offer $1 burritos between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Oct. 23.

The Iowa-based chain, founded in 1992, focuses on signature fresh-pressed tortillas with customized fillings. The menu also includes quesadillas, tacos, burrito bowls and salads.

According to a recent release, owners of the Indianapolis location got into the business as a result of corporate downsizing.

Laid off after more than 20 years in sales, Ron Firanek was looking for a new business opportunity, and his wife, Libby, a stay-at-home mom, was ready to get back into the working world. They partnered with Libby's mother, Mary Sutherland, her brother, Stuart Sutherland, a restaurant industry veteran, and Stuart's wife, Nancy Sutherland.

"The decision to open Pancheros came at the perfect time for us," said Libby Firanek in the release. "Ron and I were looking for a way to use our skills and build upon something together."

The group hopes to open six more Pancheros in the Indianapolis and Hamilton County areas.

There are currently more than 50 Pancheros locations across the country; the company plans to open 60 additional restaurants by the end of next year.

Contact Star reporter Jolene Ketzenberger at (317) 444-6755, follow her at www.twitter.com/JKetzenberger and subscribe to her updates on Facebook.